Man charged over allegedly racially-motivated stabbing of priest at Melbourne church

A man has been charged over the alleged violent stabbing of a priest during a Sunday mass in Fawkner, in Melbourne's north.

Police said the 48-year-old priest, Father Tomy Mathew, arrived at the St Matthew’s Parish on William Street about 11am yesterday before the Italian mass.

Father Tomy was stabbed in the neck in the foyer of a church in Fawkner. (9NEWS) ()

He was then approached by another man in the foyer of the church, who allegedly attacked him with a knife on the left side of his neck.

It's believed the offender had previously taken issue with the priest's Indian heritage and on Sunday accused him of being a Hindu or a Muslim and therefore unqualified to say mass.

The offender fled the scene after the attack. (9NEWS) ()

A parishioner, Melina, told 9NEWS Father Tomy asked her to call an ambulance.

"There was some shouting and a lot of movement at the back of the church and then I saw Father Tommy coming to approach me. He waved me over and asked me if I could look at his neck because he said 'I've just been stabbed'," she said.

Police have charged a 72-year-old man. (9NEWS) ()

Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne spokesman Shane Healy described the incident as "appalling".